Flirty Dancing by Jenny McLachlan

A small naked person is licking me. I don't panic - this happens a lot. The naked person starts kissing my face. I smell Marmite and banana and...hang on...the person is not entirely naked. It's wearing wellies. Wellies? This is new. And totally unacceptable.

Published by Bloomsbury in July 2014

Pages - 245

Bea Hogg is shy but fiery inside. When national dance competition Starwars comes to her school looking for talent, she wants to sign up. It's just a shame her best friend agreed to enter with school super-cow Pearl Harris. Bea will fight back! But when school hottie, Ollie Matthews, who also happens to be Pearl’s boyfriend, decides to enter the competition with Bea, she will have more than a fight on her hands.

*****

Reviewed by Vivienne Dacosta

I'm annoyed! Really annoyed! With myself of course and not with this super duper book! I'm annoyed that I didn't listen AGAIN to Emma Bradshaw at Bloomsbury when she told me that I'd love this book! I must listen to Emma at all times! 

*bangs head repeatedly against the wall*

This is the first book in the Ladybird series and a must read for fans of  the Geek Girl series and anything by Holly Smale. Jenny McLachlan is  a seriously funny author. She had me in fits of giggles with this book. The characters really stand out and you find yourself desperate to be part of Bea's family. I'm not sure who I loved more; Bea's little sister or her gran.

Bea is normally quiet and shy, but this book brings out the lion in her as she roars into action, determined to win the competition. 

This book is a cross between Dirty Dancing and Girls Just Want To Have Fun, two of my favourite films from the 80's. Only this book is funnier. And I mean side achingly funny. 

Pearl comes across as a real beast. Think Mean Girls but worse. She is really horrid to Bea and no one really seems to stop her. After reading Sun Kissed, the third book in the series, I couldn't believe I was reading about the same character.

And shall we talk about Ollie? I think he definitely needs a mention as he is a gorgeous, swoon worthy character, who sweeps Bea off her feet. 

One of the things I truly love about this book is Bea's size. She isn't your stick think model type; she is a normal girl with curves in all the right places. And thank God, she embraces those curves rather than attempting a carrot only diet! I want more characters like Bea. 

This book would make a brilliant film. I really think Richard Curtis should be given a copy of the book! I want Flirty Dancing on the big screen!!!